Stephen the New

Reading from the Synaxarion:

The righteous Stephen was born in Constantinople in 715 to pious
parents named John and Anna. His mother had prayed often to the most holy
Theotokos in her church at Blachernae to be granted a son, and one day
received a revelation from our Lady that she would conceive the son she
desired. When Anna had conceived, she asked the newly-elected Patriarch
Germanus (see May 12) to bless the babe in her womb. He said, "May God
bless him through the prayers of the holy First Martyr Stephen." At
that moment Anna saw a flame of fire issue from the mouth of the holy
Patriarch. When the child was born, she named him Stephen, according to the
prophecy of Saint Germanus.

Stephen struggled in asceticism from his youth in Bithynia at the
Monastery of Saint Auxentius, which was located at a lofty place called
Mount Auxentius (see Feb. 14). Because of his extreme labours and great
goodness, he was chosen by the hermits of Mount Auxentius to be their
leader. The fame of his spiritual struggles reached the ears of all, and
the fragrance of his virtue drew many to himself.

During the reign of Constantine V (741-775), Stephen showed his love of
Orthodoxy in contending for the Faith. This Constantine was called
Copronymus, that is, "namesake of dung," because while being baptized he had
soiled the waters of regeneration, giving a fitting token of what manner
of impiety he would later embrace. Besides being a fierce
Iconoclast, Constantine raised up a ruthless persecution of monasticism. He
held a council in 754 that anathematized the holy icons. Because Saint
Stephen rejected this council, the Emperor framed false accusations
against him and exiled him. But while in exile Saint Stephen performed
healings with holy icons and turned many away from Iconoclasm. When he was
brought before the Emperor again, he showed him a coin and asked whose
image the coin bore. "Mine," said the tyrant. "If any man trample upon
thine image, is he liable to punishment?" asked the Saint. When they
that stood by answered yes, the Saint groaned because of their
blindness, and said if they thought dishonouring the image of a corruptible
king worthy of punishment, what torment would they receive who
trampled upon the image of the Master Christ and of the Mother of God?
Then he threw the coin to the ground and trampled on it. He was
condemned to eleven months in bonds and imprisonment. Later, he was dragged
over the earth and was stoned, like Stephen the First Martyr;
wherefore he is called Stephen the New. Finally, he was struck with a
wooden club on the temple and his head was shattered, and thus he gave
up his spirit in the year 767.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Trained on the mountain in ascetical labours, with the whole armour of
the Cross thou didst vanquish the spiritual arrays of unseen enemies;
and when thou hadst stripped thyself with great courage for contest,
thou didst slay Copronymus with the sword of the true Faith. For both
these things hast thou been crowned by God, O righteous Martyr, blest
Stephen of great renown.

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
With songs and hymns, O ye feast-lovers, let us all extol the godly
Stephen, that great lover of the Trinity, for he honoured with his whole
heart the comely image of the Master, of His Mother, and of all the
Saints. Now with one accord, with longing, and with joy of heart, let us
cry to him: Rejoice, O Father most glorious.